Village and Township Partner to Create Dog Park

Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin and Orland Township Supervisor Paul O'Grady today announced a plan to jointly fund the construction of Orland Park's first dog park. Planned for a three acre site in the village's 192-acre Centennial Park, the first phase of construction is estimated to cost $200,000.

"We are very happy that Orland Township offered to help make a dog park a reality for dog owners of the area," McLaughlin said. "This addition to the village's Centennial Park has been in the planning stages for a few years and we welcome the township's help in making it happen," he said.

The village has been planning for a dog park, seeking budget funding for this first-of-its-kind addition to the Village of Orland Park's parks system.

For the last two years, the village, the township and community volunteers have spearheaded nationwide efforts in the PetSafe Bark For Your Park Dog Contest, hoping to win $100,000 to help pay for a park. Orland Park came in fifth nationwide in 2012 and placed seventh in 2011. Funding for a dog park is included in the 2013 capital improvement portion of the village's budget, requested by the Parks Department.

"Orland Township is pleased to join the Village of Orland Park in bringing a dog park to the community. In recent years, the township has been committed to serving not only all of its residents but more specifically, residential pet owners. Through services such as the Orland Township Pet Pantry and its annual fundraiser, Pet-palooza, the township has worked hard to provide a welcoming community to residents with pets, and this new venture perfectly aligns with our overall vision," O'Grady said.

Orland Township includes most of the Village of Orland Park, all of Orland Hills, part of Tinley Park and pockets of unincorporated areas.

The village's preliminary site plan for the park calls for two separate parks, one for small dogs and one for large. The parks are situated adjacent to the existing Lake Sedgewick at Centennial Park being located on either side of an existing multi-use pathway. Both parks will have access to drinking water, fencing, shade areas, agility equipment and benches.

"This will be a great addition to Centennial Park, especially with the number of people who walk their dogs through that park," McLaughlin said. "Being able to provide a safe area where dogs can exercise off leash is a perfect addition to the village's parks system. This has been a long time coming and we're excited that it will soon become a reality," the mayor added.

According to the Cook County Department of Animal Control, there are nearly 10,000 dogs registered to Orland Park addresses in the 60462 and 60467 zip codes.

"Orland Township is excited for this project to get underway, as it will be a fantastic addition to the community. By working collaboratively with the village, we hope to soon have the park up and running for residents and their pets to enjoy," O'Grady said.

With funding provided by both the Village of Orland Park and Orland Township, design of the dog park is expected to begin in early 2013 with construction beginning in the spring of 2013.